Oh Sweet Adare
Oh Lovely Vale
Oh Soft Retreat
of Sylvan Slendour
Gerald Griffin, 1803-1840
Adare is known as one of Ireland’s “Prettiest Villages.” This friendly and quaint town was on our drive from Shannon Airport to Dingle, about 15 minutes south of Limerick City. Adare’s (or ‘Ath Dara’) modern translation is “Ford of the Oak” which was an oak passage across the River Maigue.
The best way to see Adare is to park your car for free at the Heritage Center. Head into the visitor’s center to pick up a map, talk to some of the staff about the area, and walk to all the sights. (Buy a postcard or souvenir on your way out if you want to support the locals and the free parking!)
Here’s a quick look at the rich history of Adare Village.
12th Century First reports of a settlement in the area. Fortress Founded.
1230 Trinitarian Abbey founded.
1316 Augustinian Priory founded.
1390–1410 Stone bridge into Adare built.
1464 Franciscan Friary founded.
1536 Fortress is surrendered to the Earls of Desmond; it becomes known as Desmond Castle.
1811 Trinitarian Abbey is restored to be the Catholic parish church by the Earl of Dunraven.
1820s Second Earl of Dunraven redesigns streets of Adare.
1832 Building begins on Gothic-style Adare Manor.
1852 Major restoration of Augustinian Priory begins.
1911 Adare Village Hall built.
1984 Adare Manor is sold to American, Tom Kane, who later restores it to become a luxury hotel and resort.
1995 Adare Golf Club championship course is added on Adare Manor grounds.
2008 Last time Adare senior hurlers won the county championship (for the fourth time in seven years).
2011 Seventh Earl of Dunraven passes away, leaving the title to lapse.
As we strolled through the streets of Adare, we couldn’t help but appreciate the beautiful architecture, clean streets, and well-manicured landscaping. We admired the gorgeous stone buildings, medieval churches and ruins, and a stunningly green central village park–a perfect spot for a picnic or to get lost reading great book.
Adare is best known for their well-preserved, thatched-roof cottages along Main Street. Amazingly, they have survived for hundreds of years. If you look at it just right, for a moment, you can imagine yourself being transported back in time. Some of the cottages are privately owned and others are shops, galleries, and restaurants.
Also, Adare is a delightful location to eat, drink and be cheerful with a great choice of fine restaurants, intimate cafes and vibrant pubs! It was a perfect stop on our way to Dingle!
10 Best Sights to See:
- Thatched Cottages (1828)
- Parochial House (1828)
- Desmond Castle (1202/1226)
- The Franciscan Friary (1464)
- The Trinitarian Priory (1230)
- The Augustinian Priory (1315)
- St. Nicholas Old Graveyard (1744)
- Courthouse (1840)
- Adare Village Park
- Adare Manor(1830)
Ed says
Thatched roofing…castles…green everything…now THAT’s Ireland!